1995 Toyota 4Runner Limited from North America - Comments

I'm a owner of a 95 4runner and right now it looks like there is coolant coming out of my exhaust. last year around may the 4runner started backfiring I took it to my mechanic and they said that coolant was leaking into the #6cylinder drowning the spark plug... and the cylinder head was also cracked so they replaced it for $1100... even though it runs good now looks like it's coming back... when the cylinder head was replaced the odometer read about 185000 miles right now the odometer is at 205000 miles. but besides that everything else is great

Hi Guys.

I have a 1996 4Runner with 109,00 miles. My head gasket just blew and I hope it's still under recall. I'm glad you guys are out here, but this sure sucks.

Toyota still makes one of the most reliable engine on the market just none of you have it. the 22r or 22re will never break unfortunately the 89 to 95 toyota 3.0 v-6 does not share the same reliablilty the head gasket is a problem for these years. i to have a 95 4 runner in the back yard waiting to be fixed the real problem with this motor is that when the head gaskets go they usually fry a ring or to on the way out allso leaving you to rebuild the whole motor not just a head gasket. to get away from this on going problem we have been swapping out the 89-95 motor, drivetrain, wiring and computer and replaceing it with 2000 up tacoma or 4 runner drivetrain its some work and you have to find a donor vechicle, but well worth it if you love your toyota as much as I do or have as much money into as I do and don't want to start over (mine is a rock crawler) don't give up there still good vechicles and don't hate toyotas because of one bad deseign. not to mention allmost everyone complaining has over 150,000 miles on there vechicles how far does a vechicle have to go to be considered a worthy vechicle try and get that mileage out of another manufacturer.

Here goes another one! 1995 4Runner with 97,000 miles. Driving yesterday morning it began to overheat. Just had the thermostat done about a month ago, and have the dang thing sold. Dropped it at Firestone (it was the only place close by) and found out the dreaded news. They quoted me $3000. Ha Ha! Will take it to my local guy and get it done, minus valve work, for $1400. I have a message in at Toyota, but I'm not too hopeful.

Add me to the list of many... I have a 1994 4 Runner that had the head gasket replaced in 1998...now has another cracked head. This has been maintained to perfection with oil changes and all required maintenance, but to no avail.. I am now told my 4 runner is a $500 car because of it. I had hoped to drive this for many years since Toyota used to be a dependable car. No more I guess. They should be ashamed. Maybe an effort to take care of these problems would go a long way in promoting some goodwill & new sales... since money talks...

Holy Cr*p!!! Dang, at least I'm not alone. 95 v-6 sr5 4Runner, just did the same as everyone else. Blown head gasket. Only warning was that it just started rough like it wouldn't catch. But then it was so funny because it was fine after that, then the next thing I know it overheats and dies in the middle of an intersection with my 8 year old daughter in the car. Luckily I was able to get it off the road. Not sure it's worth the money to get it replaced now. Maybe sell it for parts and move on to greener (non-toyota) pastures. Too bad I just had air conditoning repaired and replaced the clutch! Damn... well add me to the list-star92114@yahoo.com.

We have a 95 4runner. I bought it used in 2000 from a local Toyota dealership (consequently I'll never buy from them again) Less than a year later the engine had to be replaced because of some death rattle the mechanic told us about. so we replaced at a cost of 2500 dollars with a 50000 mile engine. the radiator was replaced as was the water pump and timing belt. Lately I've noticed water leaking from both sides of the car. both in the identical location on both drivers and passengers side. the puddles will evaporate, but they feel greasy to the touch. also the temperature gauge seems to be jumping all over the place. Is this one of the symptoms of the defective head gaskets? I've noticed the engine idles rough on occasion, doesn't do well anymore on cruise control and the radiator was low. Definitely not looking forward to a top end rebuild or replacement of another engine. I happened to jump on the web to see if I could find these symptoms and discovered this site. If this is one of the symptoms. let me know, chromeluvr2@yahoo.com

Well, I, too, bought a 95 4runner for my new driver. The truck was very clean, 296K km on it - I thought I had a good safe vehicle. Husband checked it over - within 10 days and noticed sludge in the coolant. "Hmm - could mean a gasket going."

Anyways, before the truck died, he rolled it - and now the truck is virtually a write-off. It still runs. Anyone close to Prince George, BC - who wants me to take their 4runner off their hands - I need a new body.

Casbc@xplornet.com.

I would like to leave a comment for the individual who is 5 comments before me. He said, "try to get 150,000 miles out of a manufacturer other than toyota." My last vehicle was a 4.3 liter 93 GMC Sonoma which I sold at 205,000 miles. All I did was complain about small things, like water pumps and fuel pumps, but I never had the problems that these individuals are describing. Never even had to touch the timing chain. I drove this vehicle like a dog, and it was still running great when I sold it. My friend who bought it from me has put about 15,000 miles on it and said it is still getting 24 miles per gallon or better. Of course, I did all my own maintenace. I think that probably makes a big, big difference. The funny thing is, he had owned a 94 4-runner which was having problems running hot. And he currently has a new corrola that has been back to the dealer numerous times for transmission problems. I my self was about to buy a 93 4-runner, so I thought I would search on the internet to see what people were saying about these engines. Interestingly enough, my grandpaw has a GMC Sierra with a 4.3 liter engine, and he also has over 200,000 miles. His truck runs and drives so good, I thought that it was a new truck until I saw the mileage. I think I will steer away from toyota, and while I am at it, BMW and Mercedes too.

ANOTHER BLOWN HEAD GASKET! Our 95 4Runner has blown it's head gasket for the SECOND time within 20,000 miles. We really enjoyed paying $1800 to have it fixed the first time! We will be paying on this piece of junk for years to come as we still owe on it. Selling the crap for scrap.

I JUST bought a '95 Toyota 4-Runner and while on my way home I noticed that it started to get hot. It cooled right back down and seems OK now, but is idling rough. What should I do, can I do to keep the gasket from going like everyone else? I'm freaking after reading these comments. I JUST bought this truck from a private owner and I'm a single mom with very limited income. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. rainebeaubrite@hotmail.com.

Lordy lordy lordy. I won't repeat what I've read here, but EVERY PROBLEM THAT OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED HERE I have too with my 1995 3.0 4Runner. Replaced thermostats, radiator, hoses, all multiple times. Even head gaskets. Still runs, but will overheat within about five minutes. Hell of it is, it can be unstarted for a year, I can put in a battery on a -10 degree day, and the damn thing will start up like new. My stepfather bought it when it had 20K miles on it, has problems starting at about 40K, then I took it over and had problems within about 2 months. Its been sitting in a barn now for about seven years, not running. I didn't drain the coolant, which I read that I should have, so hopefully when I go to get it tomorrow it will be okay. I read somewhere else that there is a problem with standard head gaskets that are sold for this model because they were sized wrong from the start. I called Toyota today and was told, of course, that mine was not a part of the recall. She said it was a coincidence! Funny that so many coincidences, huh? Anyhow, just wanted to add my three cents worth. Had never bought a foreign car before, as I was raised in a blue collar automobile employed family, GM. And now, WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FOREIGN CAR AGAIN! Toyota's no better than Yugo, Kia, Daewoo, or any other VCR manufacturers that decide to try out the "car makin" business! Stick with GM, or Ford if you have to. yaekle@gmail.com

Nick Yaekle

Columbus, OH USA.

Add me to the list also; 1995 Toyota 4Runner V6 3.0 I am the original owner; only 87577 miles, and very well cared for. This vehicle is in immaculate condition and yet it still blew its head gasket. The extent of damage to the engine is unknown, but will find out on Monday after towing it to Maui Toyota. I wish Toyota had informed me of this known problem before it happened. I could have either avoided this costly repair, or at least could have been prepared to dish out so much money to fix.

Update on previous posting... Maui Toyota stated 4Runner head gasket recall is for late production 1990, all 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 up to early production 1995 (1/90 to 10/94 production date) only. Unfortunately my 4Runner was manufactured 12/94 therefore NOT covered by recall. Repairs will cost me $3000 or more.

I never thought this could happen to my "baby" that I took so good care of over the last 12 years. Obviously there is something wrong with the head gaskets on all 1995 Toyota 4Runners. All these complaints could not possibly be a coincidence.

If anyone would like help starting a class action lawsuit, please email me at OneVigilante33@aol.com or write me:

Janine Carroll

P.O. Box 880999

Pukalani, HI 96788.

I bought my 1990 4runner for $500 with a known headgasket problem. Doing the repairs myself saved a fortune. I bought new idler bearings, new timing belt, and water pump as preventive maintnance. I bought MLS head gaskets for the head to cure the known defect in the original gasket design.

Spent a total of $250 dollars for parts. Now I own one great-running 4runner for $750 dollars! If you want to sell your 4runner with a head gasket problem, I'll buy it for $500 dollars all day long, thank you! :)